We are searching for the perfect outdoor wedding ceremony location for May 28 - June 13, 2004 for just the 2 of us. Any suggestions in Bellagio, Amalfi, Venice, Cinque Terre or Tuscany?We are planning on using an Italian Wedding consultant but can't decide which location to start with? We want something outdoors, quiet, intimate..

You are not allowed to have a legally binding wedding ceremony in any location that you wish. I am not sure if that is important to you or not; some people get married legally in the US at City Hall and then have their marriage "celebration" in Italy. However, if you want to go the legal route, there are limits. Traditionally, all legally binding ceremonies were held in the Town Hall of the city or if it was a rural area, then it was held in a similar government building. In some towns, the city government has authorized other buildings to be used for legally binding ceremonies. For example, I am getting married in Venice where there are about 4 or 5 choices for legally binding ceremonies. I am unsure as to your other locations how many choices you will have. Another option is to get married officially in Italy at City Hall and then have a religious ceremony for your family at a church, etc. By the way, that is how most Italians do it; a legal ceremony that no one attends at City Hall and then the next day is the real "ceremony" at a church. So before you start asking for location suggestions, you need to choose a wedding planner and find out what locations they offer in each of your preferred locales.

My husband and I just renewed our wedding vows on a gondola in Venice in the evening hours. It was terribly romantic, with just the two of us, andf everything we dreamed it would be. I can't really comment on the legalities of an actual marriage, but I know that all the consultants I talked with beforehand could do legal marriages in Florence, Venice and other locations.

We went with an independent consultant and I'd be happy to give you her info by email, if you are interested. We worked with her for six months beforehand and she was fabulous!

Thanks Dawn Rainbows. I am aware of some of the restrictive guidelines you mentioned and my wedding planner has named these locations as a starting point. Florence was ruled out because of their indoor approved locations but there are a few in each area that was listed - albeit more expensive than the other venues. I don't want a US wedding or a church wedding - hence my favorite location - Italy.

Thanks Statia. I would be interested in speaking to your planner versus the one I found on the internet. A gondola in Venice sounds very romantic!!

Hi weddinginitaly. It really is! Not even a bit corny like I thought it might be. We felt like a prince and princess.

Email me at [email protected] and I'll give you the details on how to reach her, or her to reach you. She was absolutely wonderful in adhering to our wishes and making our day very special for both of us. She went above and beyond.

The Hotel Cenobio De Dogi in Camogli (next to Portofino) was right on the water and beautiful. They had the most beautiful flowers EVERYWHERE on the terraces they had overlooking the water. I don't know if they do weddings there, but it would be a beautiful back drop. The flowers were in great bloom when we were there in May.

My friend got married in Positano and may have used that company. IT was gorgeous! I"d personally do it somewhere in Tuscany, near Montepulicano or Siena!

My husband and I (both English) ran away in secret to get married (indoors) at Juliet's Tomb - the former monastery of the Capuchins - in Verona, organised through Italian Connection. It was perfect; romantic, intimate and the most wonderful, memorable time of my life. Getting married in Italy is unforgettable and makes me feel like crying just thinking about it.